System and method for using airport information based on flying environment

• US 7,133,754 B2
• Filed: 11/06/2003
• Issued: 11/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Johnson, Steve C., Ishihara, Yasuo, Conner, Kevin J
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Broadhead, Brian J.
• Application Number:
  US10/703,185
• Publication Number:
  US 20040167684A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,097 Days
• Field of Search: 701/15, 701/16, 701/14, 701/18, 701/120, 701/8, 701/9, 701/301, 340/945, 340/961, 340/970
• US Class Current: 701/15
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0065 for taking-off
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0078 for monitoring traffic from the aircraft radar or analogous systems specially adapted for traffic control G01S13/91
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/025 Navigation or guidance aids radar or analogous systems specially adapted for landing purposes G01S13/913

Abstract

A method, system, and computer program product for using airport information based on the flying environment are provided. When a helicopter is determined to be approaching a runway, ground proximity warning envelopes are automatically reduced to prevent unwanted, or nuisance, terrain alerts. On the other hand, when a helicopter is flown near a runway without intent to land or when a helicopter is taking off, ground proximity warning envelopes may remain unchanged. As a result, nuisance alerts are reduced when a helicopter is approaching a runway for landing and ground proximity warnings may remain in effect to maximize protection when a helicopter is flying near a runway without an intent to land or is taking off from a runway.

Claims

1. A method of using airport information based on a flying environment, the method comprising:

monitoring space having a first volume in front of and below a helicopter;

automatically determining whether or not the helicopter is flying an approach to a runway; and

automatically modulating the monitored space to a second volume in front of and below the helicopter that is smaller than the first volume when the helicopter is determined to be flying an approach to the runway, wherein;

the first volume extends along a first length along a first axis in front of the helicopter at a first angle below the helicopter; and

the second volume extends along a second length that is shorter than the first length along a second axis in front of the helicopter at a second angle below the helicopter that is smaller than the first angle.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising maintaining the monitored space at the first volume when the helicopter is determined not to be flying an approach to the runway.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the helicopter is determined not to be flying an approach to the runway when the helicopter is determined to be flying near a runway without an intent to land on the runway.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the helicopter is determined not to be flying an approach to the runway responsive to an indication from at least one of a flight management system and a global positioning system.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the helicopter is determined not to be flying an approach to the runway when the helicopter is determined to be taking off from the runway.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the helicopter is determined to be taking off when terrain clearance is less than a predetermined takeoff height and groundspeed is less than a predetermined takeoff speed.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether or not the helicopter is flying an approach to the runway further includes determining whether position of the helicopter is within a predetermined difference of position of the runway.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether or not the helicopter is flying an approach to the runway includes determining whether track angle of the helicopter is within a predetermined difference of a heading of the runway.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether or not the helicopter is flying an approach to the runway includes determining whether glideslope angle of the helicopter is within a predetermined difference of a predetermined glideslope angle.

10. A system for using airport information based on a flying environment, the system comprising:

a processor including;

a first component configured to monitor space having a first volume in front of and below a helicopter;

a second component configured to automatically determine whether or not the helicopter is flying an approach to a runway; and

a third component configured to automatically modulate the monitored space to a second volume in front of and below the helicopter that is smaller than the first volume when the helicopter is determined to be flying an approach to the runway, wherein;

the first volume extends along a first length along a first axis in front of the helicopter at a first angle below the helicopter; and

the second volume extends along a second length that is shorter than the first length along a second axis in front of the helicopter at a second angle below the helicopter that is smaller than the first angle.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the second component determines that the helicopter is flying an approach to the runway when position of the helicopter is within a predetermined difference of position of the runway.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the third component is further configured to maintain the monitored space at the first volume when the helicopter is determined not to be flying an approach to the runway.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the second component determines that the helicopter is not flying an approach to the runway when the helicopter is flying near a runway without an intent to land on the runway.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the second component determines that the helicopter is not flying an approach to the runway responsive to an indication from at least one of a flight management system and a global positioning system.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the second component determines that the helicopter is not flying an approach to the runway when the helicopter is taking off from the runway.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the second component determines that the helicopter is taking off when terrain clearance is less than a predetermined takeoff height and groundspeed is less than a predetermined takeoff speed.

17. The system of claim 10, wherein the second component determines that the helicopter is flying an approach to the runway when track angle of the helicopter is within a predetermined difference of a heading of the runway.

18. The system of claim 10, wherein the second component determines that the helicopter is flying an approach to the runway when glideslope angle of the helicopter is within a predetermined difference of a predetermined glideslope angle.

19. A computer program product residing on a computer-readable medium for using airport information based on a flying environment, the product comprising:

first computer program code means for monitoring space having a first volume in front of and below a helicopter;

second computer program code means for automatically determining whether or not the helicopter is flying an approach to a runway; and

third computer program code means for automatically modulating the monitored space to a second volume in front of and below the helicopter that is smaller than the first volume when the helicopter is determined to be flying an approach to the runway, wherein;

the first volume extends along a first length along a first axis in front of the helicopter at a first angle below the helicopter; and

the second volume extends along a second length that is shorter than the first length along a second axis in front of the helicopter at a second angle below the helicopter that is smaller than the first angle.

20. The computer program product of claim 19, wherein the second computer program code means is further configured to determine whether track angle of the helicopter is within a predetermined difference of a heading of the runway.

21. The computer program product of claim 19, wherein the second computer program code means is further configured to determine whether glideslope angle of the helicopter is within a predetermined difference of a predetermined glideslope angle.

22. The computer program product of claim 19, further comprising fourth computer program code means for maintaining the monitored space at the first volume when the helicopter is determined not to be flying an approach to the runway.

23. The computer program product of claim 22, wherein the second computer program code means determines the helicopter is not flying an approach to the runway when the helicopter is determined to be flying near a runway without an intent to land on the runway.

24. The computer program product of claim 23, wherein the second computer program code means determines the helicopter is not flying an approach to the runway responsive to an indication from at least one of a flight management system and a global positioning system.

25. The computer program product of claim 22, wherein the second computer program code means determines the helicopter is not flying an approach to the runway when the helicopter is determined to be taking off from the runway.

26. The computer program product of claim 25, wherein the second computer program code means determines that the helicopter is taking off when terrain clearance is less than a predetermined takeoff height and groundspeed is less than a predetermined takeoff speed.

27. The computer program product of claim 19, wherein the second computer program code means is further configured to determine whether position of the helicopter is within a predetermined difference of position of the runway.

28. A method of using airport information based on a flying environment, the method comprising:

monitoring space having a first volume in front of and below a helicopter, the first volume extending along a first length along a first axis in front of the helicopter at a first angle below the helicopter;

automatically determining whether or not the helicopter is flying an approach to a runway;

automatically modulating the monitored space to a second volume in front of and below the helicopter that is smaller than the first volume when the helicopter is determined to be flying an approach to the runway, the second volume extending along a second length that is shorter than the first length along a second axis in front of the helicopter at a second angle below the helicopter that is smaller than the first angle; and

maintaining the monitored space at the first volume when the helicopter is determined not to be flying an approach to the runway.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein determining whether the helicopter is flying an approach to the runway further includes determining whether position of the helicopter is within a predetermined difference of position of the runway.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein determining whether or not the helicopter is flying an approach to the runway includes determining whether track angle of the helicopter is within a predetermined difference of a heading of the runway.

31. The method of claim 28, wherein determining whether or not the helicopter is flying an approach to the runway includes determining whether glideslope angle of the helicopter is within a predetermined difference of a predetermined glideslope angle.

32. The method of claim 28, wherein the helicopter is determined not to be flying an approach to the runway when the helicopter is determined to be flying near a runway without an intent to land on the runway.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the helicopter is determined not to be flying an approach to the runway responsive to an indication from at least one of a flight management system and a global positioning system.

34. The method of claim 28, wherein the helicopter is determined not to be flying an approach to the runway when the helicopter is determined to be taking off from the runway.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the helicopter is determined to be taking off when terrain clearance is less than a predetermined takeoff height and groundspeed is less than a predetermined takeoff speed.

36. A system for using airport information based on a flying environment, the system comprising:

a processor including;

a first component configured to monitor space having a first volume in front of and below a helicopter, the first volume extending along a first length along a first axis in front of the helicopter at a first angle below the helicopter;

a second component configured to automatically determine whether or not the helicopter is flying an approach to a runway; and

a third component configured to automatically modulate the monitored space to a second volume in front of and below the helicopter that is smaller than the first volume when the helicopter is determined to be flying an approach to the runway, the second volume extending along a second length that is shorter than the first length along a second axis in front of the helicopter at a second angle below the helicopter that is smaller than the first angle, the third component being further configured to maintain the monitored space at the first volume when the helicopter is determined not to be flying an approach to the runway.

37. The system of claim 36, wherein the second component determines that the helicopter is flying an approach to the runway when position of the helicopter is within a predetermined difference of position of the runway.

38. The system of claim 36, wherein the second component determines that the helicopter is flying an approach to the runway when track angle of the helicopter is within a predetermined difference of a heading of the runway.

39. The system of claim 36, wherein the second component determines that the helicopter is flying an approach to the runway when glideslope angle of the helicopter is within a predetermined difference of a predetermined glideslope angle.

40. The system of claim 36, wherein the second component determines that the helicopter is not flying an approach to the runway when the helicopter is flying near a runway without an intent to land on the runway.

41. The system of claim 40, wherein the second component determines that the helicopter is not flying an approach to the runway responsive to an indication from at least one of a flight management system and a global positioning system.

42. The system of claim 36, wherein the second component determines that the helicopter is not flying an approach to the runway when the helicopter is taking off from the runway.

43. The system of claim 42, wherein the second component determines that the helicopter is taking off when terrain clearance is less than a predetermined takeoff height and groundspeed is less than a predetermined takeoff speed.

44. A computer program product for using airport information based on a flying environment, the method comprising:

first computer program code means for monitoring space having a first volume in front of and below a helicopter, the first volume extending along a first length along a first axis in front of the helicopter at a first angle below the helicopter;

second computer program code means for automatically determining whether or not the helicopter is flying an approach to a runway;

third computer program code means for automatically modulating the monitored space to a second volume in front of and below the helicopter that is smaller than the first volume when the helicopter is determined to be flying an approach to the runway, the second volume extending along a second length that is shorter than the first length along a second axis in front of the helicopter at a second angle below the helicopter that is smaller than the first angle; and

fourth computer program code means for maintaining the monitored space at the first volume when the helicopter is determined not to be flying an approach to the runway.

45. The computer program product of claim 44, wherein the second computer program code means is further configured to determine whether position of the helicopter is within a predetermined difference of position of the runway.

46. The computer program product of claim 44, wherein the second computer program code means is further configured to determine whether track angle of the helicopter is within a predetermined difference of a heading of the runway.

47. The computer program product of claim 44, wherein the second computer program code means is further configured to determine whether glideslope angle of the helicopter is within a predetermined difference of a predetermined glideslope angle.

48. The computer program product of claim 44, wherein the second computer program code means determines the helicopter is not flying an approach to the runway when the helicopter is determined to be flying near a runway without an intent to land on the runway.

49. The computer program product of claim 48, wherein the second computer program code means determines the helicopter is not flying an approach to the runway responsive to an indication from at least one of a flight management system and a global positioning system.

50. The computer program product of claim 44, wherein the second computer program code means determines the helicopter is not flying an approach to the runway when the helicopter is determined to be taking off from the runway.

51. The computer program product of claim 50, wherein the second computer program code means determines that the helicopter is taking off when terrain clearance is less than a predetermined takeoff height and groundspeed is less than a predetermined takeoff speed.

52. A method of using airport information based on a flying environment, the method comprising:

monitoring space having a first volume in front of and below a helicopter, the first volume extending along a first length along a first axis in front of the helicopter at a first angle below the helicopter;

automatically determining whether or not the helicopter is flying an approach to a runway, wherein the helicopter is determined not to be flying an approach to the runway when the helicopter is determined to be at least one of flying near a runway without an intent to land on the runway and taking off from the runway;

automatically modulating the monitored space to a second volume in front of and below the helicopter that is smaller than the first volume when the helicopter is determined to be flying an approach to the runway, the second volume extending along a second length that is shorter than the first length along a second axis in front of the helicopter at a second angle below the helicopter that is smaller than the first angle; and

maintaining the monitored space at the first volume when the helicopter is determined not to be flying an approach to the runway.

53. The method of claim 52, wherein determining whether or not the helicopter is flying an approach to the runway includes determining whether glideslope angle of the helicopter is within a predetermined difference of a predetermined glideslope angle.

54. The method of claim 52, wherein the helicopter is determined not to be flying an approach to the runway responsive to an indication from at least one of a flight management system and a global positioning system.

55. The method of claim 52, wherein the helicopter is determined to be taking off when terrain clearance is less than a predetermined takeoff height and groundspeed is less than a predetermined takeoff speed.

56. The method of claim 52, wherein determining whether the helicopter is flying an approach to the runway includes determining whether position of the helicopter is within a predetermined difference of position of the runway.

57. The method of claim 52, wherein determining whether the helicopter is flying an approach to the runway includes determining whether track angle of the helicopter is within a predetermined difference of a heading of the runway.

58. A system for using airport information based on a flying environment, the system comprising:

a processor including;

a first component configured to monitor space having a first volume in front of and below a helicopter, the first volume extending along a first length along a first axis in front of the helicopter at a first angle below the helicopter;

a second component configured to automatically determine whether or not the helicopter is flying an approach to a runway, wherein the second component determines that the helicopter is not flying an approach to the runway when the helicopter is at least one of flying near a runway without an intent to land on the runway and taking off from the runway; and

a third component configured to automatically modulate the monitored space to a second volume in front of and below the helicopter that is smaller than the first volume when the helicopter is determined to be flying an approach to the runway, the second volume extending along a second length that is shorter than the first length along a second axis in front of the helicopter at a second angle below the helicopter that is smaller than the first angle, the third component being further configured to maintain the monitored space at the first volume when the helicopter is determined not to be flying an approach to the runway.

59. The system of claim 58, wherein the second component determines that the helicopter is flying an approach to the runway when glideslope angle of the helicopter is within a predetermined difference of a predetermined glideslope angle.

60. The system of claim 58, wherein the second component determines that the helicopter is not flying an approach to the runway responsive to an indication from at least one of a flight management system and a global positioning system.

61. The system of claim 58, wherein the second component determines that the helicopter is taking off when terrain clearance is less than a predetermined takeoff height and groundspeed is less than a predetermined takeoff speed.

62. The system of claim 58, wherein the second component determines that the helicopter is flying an approach to the runway when position of the helicopter is within a predetermined difference of position of the runway.

63. The system of claim 58, wherein the second component determines that the helicopter is flying an approach to the runway when track angle of the helicopter is within a predetermined difference of a heading of the runway.

64. A computer program product for using airport information based on a flying environment, the method comprising:

first computer program code means for monitoring space having a first volume in front of and below a helicopter, the first volume extending along a first length along a first axis in front of the helicopter at a first angle below the helicopter;

second computer program code means for automatically determining whether or not the helicopter is flying an approach to a runway, the second computer program code means determining that the helicopter is not flying an approach to the runway when the helicopter is determined to be at least one of flying near a runway without an intent to land on the runway and taking off from the runway;

third computer program code means for automatically modulating the monitored space to a second volume in front of and below the helicopter that is smaller than the first volume when the helicopter is determined to be flying an approach to the runway, the second volume extending along a second length that is shorter than the first length along a second axis in front of the helicopter at a second angle below the helicopter that is smaller than the first angle; and

fourth computer program code means for maintaining the monitored space at the first volume when the helicopter is determined not to be flying an approach to the runway.

65. The computer program product of claim 64, wherein the second computer program code means is further configured to determine whether glideslope angle of the helicopter is within a predetermined difference of a predetermined glideslope angle.

66. The computer program product of claim 64, wherein the second computer program code means determines the helicopter is not flying an approach to the runway responsive to an indication from at least one of a flight management system and a global positioning system.

67. The computer program product of claim 64, wherein the second computer program code means determines that the helicopter is taking off when terrain clearance is less than a predetermined takeoff height and groundspeed is less than a predetermined takeoff speed.

68. The computer program product of claim 64, wherein the second computer program code means is configured to determine whether position of the helicopter is within a predetermined difference of position of the runway.

69. The computer program product of claim 64, wherein the second computer program code means is further configured to determine whether track angle of the helicopter is within a predetermined difference of a heading of the runway.